Publications by authors named "Helen G Mar Fan"
Article Synopsis
- Breast cancer continues to be a major global health issue, with increasing VUS complicating diagnosis in Australia’s healthcare system.
- This study examined VUS data from 11 familial cancer centers, revealing that 4% of variants might be reclassified as pathogenic and 80% as benign.
- Surveys indicated that there are challenges in VUS management due to limited resources, suggesting the need for routine reviews to improve patient care and communication between laboratories and cancer centers.
Article Synopsis
- Many families show unusual cancer clusters but don't fit into known hereditary cancer syndrome categories; they may still carry harmful genetic variants that increase cancer risk.* -
- In a study of 195 participants with suspected hereditary cancer syndromes, whole-genome sequencing identified pathogenic variants in 5.1% and additional variants with potential health implications in 9.7% of participants.* -
- The study suggests that using whole-genome sequencing up front is more cost-effective than traditional testing, but broader implementation will hinge on funding decisions and financial perspectives of healthcare payers.*
Aims: Perioperative chemotherapy has improved the prognosis for patients with operable osteosarcoma. The literature is conflicting about which regimen is optimal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival outcomes of two cohorts of patients with operable osteosarcoma treated with different perioperative chemotherapy regimens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis report discusses the case of a 52 year old female with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, confined to the central nervous system, which was managed with high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) in the context of end stage renal disease. The patient received two doses of HDMTX followed by extended hours high-flux hemodialysis, plasma methotrexate concentration monitoring and leucovorin rescue. The hemodialysis technique used was effective in clearing plasma methotrexate and allowed delivery of HDMTX to achieve complete remission with limited and reversible direct methotrexate-related toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Women who receive adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer develop fatigue, and a subset reports cognitive impairment. Methylphenidate is reported to improve fatigue and to decrease cognitive impairment in other populations.
Materials And Methods: Women were randomised early during their chemotherapy to receive d-methylphenidate (d-MPH), a form of methylphenidate, or an identical appearing placebo.
Background: Women who receive adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer report fatigue, menopausal symptoms and cognitive problems. Here we compare assessment of these symptoms using self-report questionnaires and a researcher-administered screen of cognitive function with the experience of women as revealed in a semi-structured interview.
Methods: Twenty-one women who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General (FACT-G) self-report questionnaire, and sub-scales for fatigue (FACT-F) and endocrine symptoms (FACT-ES).
Purpose: We previously evaluated fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer and matched healthy women. Here we report assessment of these women 1 and 2 years later.
Patients And Methods: Patients without relapse and controls were evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General Quality of Life questionnaire, with subscales for fatigue and endocrine symptoms, and by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen.